Greenock man on how Inverclyde Bothy helped him walk again

Gordon Kay was left fighting for his life after he was admitted to hospital in 2020.

When he woke up after weeks in intensive care, the 76-year-old's body was so weak that at first he couldn't even summon up the energy to sit up, far less walk.

Four years on, he still feels the effects of the virus, which badly damaged his lungs and left his balance severely affected.

Gordon Kay spent three weeks in a coma but now he's thriving (Image: George Munro) He's now a regular at the 'strollers group' run by the Inverclyde Bothy project, and says it's all thanks to the initiative's co-ordinator, Jenni Murray.

The Bothy is a partnership project aiming to create opportunities for everyone to find it easier to walk or cycle as part of their daily life by growing the number of 'health walks' across Inverclyde.

"I used to do a lot of walking before I got Covid," Gordon told the Tele.

"But now it takes me around half an hour just to walk a mile. Most people can walk two, or two and a half, in that time.

"The Inverclyde bothy found me, really. A friend of mine, who I meet with on a Tuesday kept going on at me to give it a go.

"Initially, I wasn't convinced because of my pace. But Jenni was adamant that they could cater for that."

Mr Kay says he found it difficult to adapt to a new and enforced pace (Image: George Munro)

Having worked until the age of 69, in a career that featured several physically-intensive jobs, Gordon was particularly worried at the prospect of slowing others down.

But he says the Bothy, which has carried out 284 health walks in the past year, has given him a new sense of independence.

"Initially, getting out and walking in a group felt a bit awkward to me," he continued.

"Walking slower than usual, I feel, is harder than it is to walk at your normal pace or a wee bit faster.

"I really do appreciate everyone who's a part of the group, because they take things at your pace. It's hard walking slow.

"It was a long and quite frustrating process, because I had to get used to walking so slow and being so out of breath. It's not what I was used to, and I wanted to do more.

"I was always working or doing something. I bought the house I live in when it was derelict, and I've built it up, all while working a 70-hour week. 

"So to have to get used to having to go at the pace I do now was quite a challenge.

"Walking on your own, like I used to do down at the Esplanade, is so different from having a chat with someone or having a coffee whilst you go. It's so good for your general mood."

Gordon says the social impact of the group plays a huge factor in his everyday life - and urged others to consider joining one of their upcoming events.

"I now go there most Wednesdays," he added, "and I don't think I could imagine a Wednesday without them.

"I just go as far as I can and then walk back and let the others continue on their walk.

"Just last week, we walked from Gourock railway station along the Cove Road. 

"It was intended to go all the way along to the Battery Park and back. I got along to the end of the pier, more or less.

"For me going out for a walk isn't exercise, it's a social thing. You meet new people and talk about new things and I'm really glad that I've got that back now.

"I'd recommend that people consider the services they offer, because they do really cater and care for everyone."

Find out more about the Inverclyde Bothy's work to get people in the area more active at facebook.com/InverclydeBothy.